Product Description

This 5.2 cu. ft. Kenmore Elite 31623 top-load washer features Accela-Wash™ and steam technology, which creates a wonderful selection of cycles to provide the ultimate in customized care and cleaning.

This innovative metallic gray Kenmore Elite 3162 washer also answers on call! Push a button, and the Kenmore Connect™ System sends data from the appliance directly to the Kenmore tech team via the phone. This may be all the team need to handle questions on the spot, without a no service call.

Steam Treat™ uses the power of steam to virtually eliminate the need to pre-treat stains

SmartMotion™ technology uses up to six unique wash motions to custom clean and care for clothes

Soft-close lid gently and quietly closes without slamming

14 cycles and 5 temperatures let you customize the settings for each load

Kenmore Connect™ sends information over the phone for quick troubleshooting

Powerful, direct drive motor for long-lasting dependability

* Disclaimer: Kenmore Elite received the highest numerical score for top-load clothes washers in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 Laundry Appliance Study℠. Study based on 6,649 total responses measuring 10 top-load washer brands and measures opinions of consumers about their new appliance purchased in the past 24 months. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January-March 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

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Reviewers may have received a benefit, like a sweepstakes entry or rewards program points, in exchange for writing a review.
Those benefits were not conditioned on the positive or negative content of the review.

Most Helpful Reviews

Praise35 found this helpful

CarolynnD

Sep 11 , 2014

EXCEPTIONAL CLEAN AND QUIET JUST READ EVERYTHING BELOW.

Ok here is a review from someone who has had this exceptional washer an a matching dryer for three years.
I have nothing but praise for both units...especially how quiet it is...maybe too quiet as most times I can not hear it beep when its done.
I have washed everything imaginable in this washer with no issues at all ever...including "waterproof" items. It helps to READ INSTRUCTIONS FOLKS they are not complicated but most complaints I read in here is because of misuse to the machine...improper loading or detergents used etc.
And OMG the capacity for large items (queen size and king size beddings) or other heavy items such as large loads of towels or carpets or jackets etc etc..this purchase was WORTH EVERY PENNY spent as I also bought a five year warranty and have not had to use it once.
I get NO twisting to items because its im sure how I load items in the washer to begin with the spin cycles are sooooo efficient the sanitize setting I love as all the setting options...the dryer is also top notch and really good at getting out all excess fuzz and lint leaving clothes and other items looking like they are brand new just bought off the rack...be sure to clean the filter area often...and be sure to use the correct detergents in the washer HE detergents...I use only TIDE products or WOOLITE...there is never ANY oder... the steam refresh for dryer is very helpful...sanitize setting takes longer but well worth it...
even my HUGE wall tapestry fits well..washes very well an I have not found any item to not come out looking smelling better than brand new...no positively no rust issues either...I have used the recommended washer cleaners they sell but I don't know why as seems like that's a waste of time and money as it never seems to need it but I do it as its recommended.
would NEVER go back to ANY type of agitator washer or would I use a front loader as it seems like most complaints of oder are from these...and u absolutely need the booster piece for under these front loaders to stop them from "walking" for sure...and the agitator washers are very noisy as well.
these use much less detergents and give a superior clean to all types of items makes blankets like brand spanking new. I thought I always got my clothes clean with a good agitator washer but gawd I was sure proven wrong with this machine...
so in closing ill say this...BEST PURCHASE FOR A WASHER OR DRYER COMBO...JUST PLEASE BE SURE TO READ ALLLLLL INSTRUCTIONS GET "HE" DETERGENTS...I TOTALLY RECOMMEND TIDE AND OR WOOLITE...CLEAN THE DRYER VENTS OFTEN THOROUGHLY...DONT GET CARRIED AWAY ON PUTTING WHAT YOU WERE USE TO FOR AMTS OF DETERGENT INTO THE WASHER ITS REALLY A WASTE...JUST LOAD ...SET...FORGET...SANITIZE OPTION ON WASHER ...STEAM REFRESH ON DRYER MANY SETTINGS FOR ANY TYPE OF WASHING OR DRYING YOU WILL DO...AND BE SURE TO LOAD THE WASHER EVENLY WITH ITEMS AND YOU WONT BE BOTHERED WITH UNBALANCED ISSUES EITHER.
I do sincerely hope you believe all I have said here and this helps

Criticism44 found this helpful

arlenen

Nov 7 , 2014

A lemon of a washer! Doesn't even justify one star!

I have owned this washer for 3 years and have already put in 2 computer assemblies and is now requiring a third one! From day one, the loads would go out of balance; it was water efficient, in fact I would pour additional water in the washer in order to cover and even wet the clothing inside, but was an electricity hog! A normal load took well over an hour to complete! The washer would go out of balance all of the time and when the computer assembly would start failing, the first signs were the uneven load would flash, the rinse and spin cycle would keep repeating, may or may not beep that the load was unbalanced, and then finally would have to pause load, hit the drain and spin and it may or may not complete without doing that cycle several times. The drain and spin would start to spin, would stop and then start filling the washer with water again, start to drain and then spin and may have to do that a few times--just a vicious circle of finishing a load of laundry!
Fortunately I had the extended warranty on the first 2 years and that covered the first 2 repairs (the first one was less than 4 months after washer was put into service) but did not renew when it expired a few months ago. I found out this evening for me to replace the computer assembly for the 3rd time, the minimum charge would be $325 for a new computer assembly and labor. I paid over $800, on a tremendous sale, for this washer, paid an additional $375+ for 2 years for maintenance agreements, and was now quoted an additional $214 for another year of maintenance contract or pay the minimally estimated $325 in parts and labor to repair a third time. Time for a new washer--and this time less bells and whistles and it won't be a Kenmore.

I previously owned a front-loading washer which I really liked. Had absolutely no problems with it; just time for a new, more efficient (or so I thought) model. So looked at the Kenmore Elite Top-Loading Washer at Sears and after discussing it with the salesman, decided to buy. BIG MISTAKE! Purchased it November of 2014 and have kicked myself ever since. And, YES, I read ALL the instructions before using the machine for the first time and YES, I use only HE detergent! Clothes do NOT come out clean and I have had to wash numerous loads a second time. I also need to use the Water Plus and Extra Rinse options more than I would like to. $$$$$$$ Clothes are so wrinkled, when cycle is complete, it's terrible. I have tried even using the lower Spin Speed Options, which don't help preventing the wrinkles. Have had to iron items that I have NEVER ironed in the past. Please, please, please, do not buy this item! I am so upset about what we spent not only for the washer but also it's matching mate, the dryer. The dryer is a LITTLE better but still have to monitor all loads being dried. NOY HAPPY WITH THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PURCHASE $2640 (inc. extended warranty...now I know why needed!) for both items.

This machine is obnoxiously terrible at cleaning. It either doesn't use enough water, or it uses too much on cycles such as bulky/bedding. Use of the water plus feature is a must on regular loads. When I try to wash my comforter it will fill the drum completely so the comforter literally just floats at the top of the machine and never actually gets clean. I find myself having to stand in the laundry room with the machine to adjust the settings after the fact in hopes that I might end up with something clean. I would not recommend this machine. I'll be going for a front load.

The bleach dispenser rusted after only 2 years - Sears will do nothing about it. Sears will charge the customer to correct their product's flaw. Their "Customer Care" department gives the run around, when you finally speak to a supervisor, they offer no resolution. Will NEVER purchase another Sears appliance. Very poor quality at a very high price!

Unit already has issues. Leaking after only 1 year. Purchased a household fleet of Kenmore and this unit is used maybe Twice a week with a hose hold of 2. we researched for 2 months and even stayed away from front loaders. New rule buy the cheap stuff from the big box store and just replace every 2 years.

Purchased this for my new home 18 months ago. The worst appliance I ever bought. Does not clean your clothes. If you put in a "light" load of laundry (ie. sheets), the water level is so low, your linens come out dry. That's because there was NOT enough water to clean them in the first place. I've wasted more water and electricity re-washing my clothes!!! If it does wash your clothes, the super dirty or stained ones need rewashing anyway. This is total junk for the money!!! I will NEVER recommend this appliance to anyone. It doesn't even deserve "one" star!!!!

Have now owned this washer for 9 months. Washer runs about 3 times per week for our family of 4. Not one time had the washer given us an error message or not completed the load to our satisfaction. Just load your clothes as instructed in the owners manual, add detergent and softener, then push start.

My machine is only two years old and it is completely rusting around the bleach dispenser, which is causing rust spots on my white clothes. I am very dissatisfied with this machine. Rusting should not be occurring this soon especially on a machine this expensive! I'm done with Kenmore after this, I thought it was a quality brand boy was I wrong.

Do yourself a favor and save yourself a huge headache AND A LOT OF MONEY!!!! This is the worst of the worst. Clothes dont come clean, they're wrinkled and it takes FOREVER to get a load done. I complained numerous times to the store I bought it at. I tried every suggestion they had with no solutions. I told them how much I hated this washer and was told ONLY THEN that I had a 4 month option to return it, of course I had already had it about 8 months. THIS MACHINE IS A PIECE OF ****!!!!!!!!! My mom bought one of the "cheap" washers at the same time and loves it. Wish I had done the same.

I bought this machine just over 3 years ago. I purchased the 3 year warranty and just over 1 month past the warranty ended the machine started a LE code. I called Customer service and they "attempted" to do a tech service over the phone, but told me that a tech was needed to diagnose the washer. The tech charged me $84 to tell me that the machine had bad bearings and a bad control board for a estimate of over $600 and gave me a coupon for up to $100 off a new washer. What a joke, as this could have been done without the service call. Do not waste your money on this machine.